Portable knocked down stand and tent



Aug. 23, 1955 T. LITWINSKI PORTABLE KNOCKED DOWN STAND AND TENT 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 1 1951 i 1! In INVENTOR.

75500055 155721? L/TWM/SK/ ATTORNEY Aug. 23, 1955 'r. L. LITWINSKI 2,715,757

PORTABLE KNOCKED DOWN STAND AND TENT Filed Nov. 1, 1951 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Y3 i L an N IN VEN TOR.

Tf/FJDURE LESTER LlTW/A/E/Y/ BY W A 770/? N 5 7 Aug. 23, 1955 T. L. LITWINSKI PORTABLE KNOCKED DOWN STAND AND TENT 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Nov. 1 1951 INVENTOR. Meaoms mam? L/TW/A/SA! ATTOJP/V E Y United States Patent PGRTABLE KNOCKED DOWN STAND AVD TENT Theodore Lester Litwinski, Keyport, N. J.

Application November 1, 1951, Serial No. 254,257

Claims. (Cl. 20-1.6)

This invention relates to a portable stand and tent and more particularly to a stand comprised of a plurality of sections that may be quickly and easily assembled or disassembled and a tent that coacts with the stand and is also comprised of a plurality of members that are quickly and easily assembled or disassembled.

It is an object of this invention to provide a portable knocked down stand that includes a fioor and four individua wall units that fasten together in adjoining relation around the edges of the floor to form a four sided stand.

Another object of this invention is to provide a portable knocked down stand and tent in which the stand when erected will be completely covered by the tent and in which means are provided on the tent supporting structure to retain the sides of the stand in various positions.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a portable knocked down stand and tent comprised of a plurality of units fastened together in adjoining or coacting relationship in which all units are simple in construction, durable in use and easily assembled and disassembled for transportation.

Other objects of this invention shall be apparent by reference to the accompanying detailed description and the drawings in which Fig. 1 illustrates a plan view of the tent supporting structure,

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the spacer taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1,

Fig. 3 is a side elevational view of a box stake,

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the box stake,

Fig. 5 is a side elevational view of another embodiment of the stakes,

Fig. 6 is a cross sectional view taken on line 66 of Fig.5,

Fig. 7 is a further embodiment of a stake,

Fig. 8 is a plan view of the stake,

Fig. 9 is an end view of a tent supporting element,

10 is a cross sectional view illustrating the coacting relationship between the stand and the tent,

Fig. 11 is a cross sectional view taken on line 11-11 of Fig. 10,

Fig. 12 is a partial view of the floor taken on line 12-12 of Fig. 10,

Fig. 13 is a plan view of the stand,

Fig. 14 is a side elevational view taken on line 14'-14 of Fig. 13,

Fig. 15 is an elevational view partly in cross section taken on line 1515 of Fig. 13, and

Fig. 16 is a partial view taken on line 1616 of Fig. 10.

Referring to the drawings in Fig. 1 we have illustrated a typical layout for positioning a tent supporting structure. Starting with a center we mount a box shaped stake 18 and utilizing a spacer 28 as illustrated in Fig. 2, the spacer being comprised of a block 21 which will fit into the hollow stake i3 and an arm 22 that is pivotally mounted to block 21 by a pin 23 and a block 24 mounted at the opposite end of arm 22. Thus by mounting the spacer Fig.

2,715,757 Patented Aug. 23, 1955 2i? with block 21 inserted in stake 18 we may find the position of an outer tent support, that is, block 24 must fit into hollow stake 25. Thus by driving a hollow box shaped stake 25 into the ground at this particular spot, the spacer block 24 will fit into the stake 25. A cord or rope 26 is provided and is attached to the spacer arm 22 directly over the center of block 2 The cord or rope is of a predetermined length and is provided with a marker at the unattached end. Using this marker an are A may be marked on the ground and an arc B may be repeated in an opposite direction. The next step is simply lifting block 24 out of stake 25 and rotating the pivotally supported arm 22 until block 24 is centered over the are A. At this particular point another stake 25 may be driven and likewise rotating arm 22 in an opposite direction until block 24 is centered over are B. So the process of mounting block 24 and utilizing cord 26 to describe a new mark may be repeated to thus provide the eight points at which takes 25 must be driven to provide supports for the tent supporting structure. With the layout for the tent completed and the stakes 25 and stake 18 duly positioned, we are ready to erect the tent supporting structure.

Referring to Figs. 3 and 4 we have illustrated stake 25 which is a four sided box-like structure with one end tapered so that it may be driven, buried or mounted into the ground as illustrated to provide a proper foundation for the tent structure.

Referring to Figs. 5 and 6 we have illustrated another embodiment of the stake supporting elements. In this instance there is provided a fiat blade 30 with one end sharpened and the other square end fitted into a slot 31 in the end of each tent supporting element 32. Blade 30 is also provided with an aperture 33 through which a bolt or pin 34 may be passed and likewise the end of the element 32 is provided with a similar aperture so that the bolt 34 will pass through to retain the blade locked in the position illustrated. Generally the elements 32 are square or rectangular in form and as illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6 presuming that they are square in form, we have provided a square box-like sleeve 36 that fits snugly about element 32. This sleeve 36 may be lifted to permit mounting the bolt or pin 34 and the sleeve 36 may then be dropped to thus lock the pin 34 and provided a reinforcing around the end of element 32.

Referring to Figs. 7, 8 and 9 there is illustrated a further embodiment of this invention in which a round stake 49 is utilized. Stake 40 may be driven into the ground and the supporting tent element 32 will be provided with a central bore 37 of approximately the same size as peg 4%). Thus when peg 4% is driven into the ground with half of the peg above the ground, element 32 may be mounted directly over peg 40 and with an aperture 41 in peg 4e and an aperture 42 in the element 32 a bolt or pin may be passed through the aperture 42 and aperture 41 to retain the element 32 and peg 413 in a fixed relationship.

Referring to Fig. 10 We have illustrated a cross sectional view of the tent and stand mounted within the tent. The tent is comprised of a central post 50, the end of which is mounted in the hollow stake or post holder 18 and there are also provided eight upright supports 51 each one mounted in a hollow stake member 25. The upright supports 51 are each provided with a rafter 52 that is hingedly afiixed thereto at the upper end thereof. The rafter 52 at its unsupported end is provided with an aperture 53. The central post 50 at its upper end is provided with a plurality (8 in number) of hook shaped members 54. The members 54 are equally spaced as illustrated in Fig. 11. It is apparent that member 54 is so shaped that the end of member 54 will fit through the aperture 53 of the rafter 52 thus providing the necessary support for rafter 52. Rafter 52 is also provided with an eye bolt 52A at the opposite end thereof. This is to permit stretching a rope 5213 through each eye bolt to go around the circumference of the structure and provide a support for a canvas that is to be spread over the complete tent structure. The canvas 60 is necessarily tailoredto fit the circular structure and will be formed as a single piece. A canvas 60A is also attached around the supports by tying the upper edge of the canvas to eye bolts 520 with string or rope that is sewn into the canvas to provide an enclosure for the entire structure. Each rafter 52 is also provided with a supporting hook 56 on the under side thereof. The use of this will be explained later in conjunction with .the stand. Each upright 51 is provided with an eye bolt 57 positioned adjacent to the top of element 51, the use of which will be explained later. The center post 50 is also provided with a plurality of hooks 58, the use of which will also be explained later.

Referring to Figs. 13, 14 and 15 in which Fig. 13 is a plan view of the portable stand which includes a hinged folding floor structure 61 generally square in its extended position, the floor 61 is provided with a central aperture 62 to fit around the post holder 18. There are four separate sides 63, 64, and 66 and for convenience the sides 63 and 65 are similar in structure while sides 66 and 64 are similar in structure. Sides 66 and 64 are formed of a single panel 70 of a predetermined length and height, the length being similar to the length of the side of the floor 61 while the height is approximately the average counter height. There are provided a pair of hinges 74 affixed to panel 70 and also afiixed to the hinges 74 are a pair of folding panels 75 and 76, panels 75 and 76 being of the same length as panel 70 but each being of half the width and as illustrated panels 75 and 76 are joined by a piano hinge 77. I A pair of hinges 71 are attached to the upper edge of panel 75. A counter 72 isaflixed to the hinges 71 so that it may be swung into a parallel relationship with panel 75 as illustrated in dotted lines in Fig. 14 and also counter 72 may be positioned at right angles to panels 70 and 75 to provide an extended counter as illustrated in Figs. 13 and 14. A pair of hinges 80 are affixed to panel 70 at a predetermined position and a shelf 81 is also aifixed to the hinges 80 thus the shelf 81 may be positioned as illustrated in Fig. 14 and may be locked in that position by a supporting pin 82 positioned under shelf 81 or may be retained by a supporting hook 83 above shelf 81. It is apparent that shelf 81 may be folded into a parallel relationship with panel 70. Panel 70 at each end is provided with a pair of spaced blocks 84 and 85 thus providing a groove along the inner face of panel 70. This groove is utilized to insert the edge of the opposite sides 63 and 65 when the stand is erected. Panel 63 is comprisedof a single panel element 70A similar to panel 70 of side 64. Panel 70A is provided with a pair of hinges 71A attached to the upper edge thereof and a shelf 72A is also attached to the hinges 71A thus shelf 72A may be positioned as illustrated in Fig. 13 or shelf 72A may be rotated over into a parallel relationship with panel 70A. Side 65 is similar to side 63 except that the panel 70B of similar size to the panel 70A is provided with a door opening into which a door 91 is fitted, the door 91 is supported in this position by a piano hinge 92 attached to, the door 91 and the panel 703. The counter 7213 that is similar to counter 72A is cut on the line of the hinge 92 and a further hinge 93 is provided so that the counter 723 in its extended position will be as illustrated in Fig. 13. However the end of counter 723 may be rotated until the hinged end 'is in parallel relationship with the main counter so that the door 91 may be utilized. Referring to Figs. l3, l4 and 15, it is apparent that the four sides may be pressed into a fitted relationship and if necessary, hooks and eyes 95 may be provided on all four corners to lock the sides in their fitted relationship. Referring to Fig. 10 it is apparent that anyone ma quickly assemble the stand and tent structure. The tent may be erected as already described except that the 4 floor 61 will be positioned about stake 18 before the post 50 is mounted in stake 18. With the tent erected as already described the stand may be assembled by positioning sides 64 and 66 opposite to each other and sides 63 and 65 opposite to each other. Thus the sides 63 and 65 will be fitted into the grooves provided and may be hooked by the hook and eyes 95 to lock the sides in this assembled relationship. 3

Referring to the panels 75 and 76 it is apparent that they may be utilized for three purposes, the panels may be swung or rotated to position No. 1 to thus cover the stand and with the panels onv each side so positioned the meeting edges may be provided with a hasp and lock 99 to thus permit locking the stand and its contents. Also the panels 75 and 76 may be rotated to position No. 2 and by means of the previously described hooks 56 the panels may be hooked into a supported position as illustrated, that is, the edge of panel 76 may be provided with apertures 100 as illustrated in Fig. 16 through which the hooks 56 will fit and thus support the panels as illustrated. Panels 75 and 76 may also be rotated to the position No. 3, that is, with panel 75 at right angles to the side 64 and panel 76 parallel to a support 51 and the aperture 100 of panels 76 maybe hooked to an eye bolt 57 as already described. Thus panels 75 and 76 will be retained at the position illustrated. Position No. l as already stated provides a complete cover for the stand so that the stand and its contents may be locked. Position No. 2 provides a windbreak and with one or more sides provided with a pair of panels 75 and 76, the stand may be protected from a strong wind in any of the four directions or two or three sides may be combined to form a protective enclosure. Position No. 3 illustrates a further use of the panels 75 and 76. In this instance the panels are positioned to permit stocking up mer chandise or displays to provide additional room When the stand is in use but when the side so formed is not to be used for serving. A further feature illustrated in Fig. 10 is the rack 101. This rack may be of triangular formation and may be formed by two stringer elements 102. Elements 102 are provided with an eye at each end so that at the upper end the eye may be hooked over the hook 58 already described as mounted on center post 50 while the lower ends of the stringers 102 may be attached by hooks 102A to the corners or at any particular point along the upper edge of the sides such as side 64. The stringers 102 are also provided with a plurality of notches 103 thus permitting cross bars 104 to be positioned in a pair. of notches. Thus a plurality of supporting elements may be secured to the stringers 102 to provide a merchandising rack for display. Although we have described the supporting structure as composed of wooden elements, we may likewise utilize hollow metal elements and accomplish the same result.

It is apparent that the stand and tent supporting structure are constructed so that they may be quickly and easily erected and so that they may likewise be quickly and easily dismantled and each and every piece is so designed that they may be stacked into a compact relationship for transportation.

Various changes or modifications may be made in the tent supporting structure and in the construction of the portable stand without departing from this invention and this invention shall be limited only by the appended claims.

What is claimed is: Y Y

1. A portable stand and tent structure comprising four walls formed of detachable interconnected units arranged in adjacent boxlike form, the four walls being of approximately counter height, each Wall provided with a service counter hingedly aflixed to the upper edge, each of one pair of opposed walls provided with a two-piece folding cover, each of which is hingedly affixed to the upper edge, said folding covers completely covering the open structure in one position and lying adjacent to the opposed walls in another position, a central upright positioned in the middle of the boxlike form and provided with a plurality of hooks at the upper end thereof, a plurality of uprights spaced equally apart and at a predetermined distance from the central upright, a plurality of rafters, each hingedly aflixed to an upright and provided with an aperture at the unattached end, said rafters being supported at the unattached ends by hooking to the central upright, and a canvas cover supported by said rafters.

2. In a device according to claim 1 in which said rafters are provided with a hook aflixed to the under side of the rafter and positioned in a parallel line with one of the sides of the boxlike form positioned below, said folding covers provided with apertures on the outer edge thereof and in a position to meet with said books that are aflixed to said rafters to support said cover in an upright position parallel with the side to which the cover is attached.

3. In a device according to claim 1 in which the plurality of uprights are provided with a hook mounted adjacent the upper end thereof and in which the folding covers are provided with apertures on the outer edge thereof and in a. position to meet with said hooks that are atfixed to said uprights to support said cover with the portion of the cover that is attached to the side of the boxlike form in a horizontal position and to support the other portion of said folding cover in a perpendicular position to provide a supporting structure for stacking merchandise.

4. In a device according to claim 1 in which a triangular shaped rack is connected to one of said walls and in which said central upright is provided with a plurality of hooks at a predetermined position above counter height, said rack being provided with an eye bolt at the apex of the triangle to support said rack on said central upright and hinges are aflixed to the base of said triangular rack, supporting said rack on the side of said boxlike structure.

5. In a device according to claim 1 in which one or more of said sides of said boxlike structure is provided with an internal shelf that are hingedly afiixed to said sides.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 240,662 Cole Apr. 26, 1881 299,625 Covell June 3, 1884 443,560 Allen Dec. 30, 1890 603,157 Spitzenberg Apr. 26, 1898 2,492,198 Smith Dec. 27, 1949 

